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Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl

April 28th, 2008 by susan j

Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood Bowl photo uploaded by e.t

Get tickets now for a show at the Hollywood Bowl this summer. With dramatic views and beautiful sunsets, the Hollywood Bowl is one of the best places to see a concert in the U.S. Mozart Under the Stars, Les Miserables in concert, Diana Ross, and Gnarles Barkley are just a few of the performances you can catch at the Hollywood Bowl from June to September. Tickets are available online or by calling 323-850-2000. Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl is Friday, June 20.

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Catch Wicked in Los Angeles

April 21st, 2008 by susan j

Wicked
Wicked marquee photo uploaded by WxMom

With sweeping melodies and a magical storyline set in the land of Oz, Wicked: The Musical is the perfect outing for theater-goers of all ages. This Tony-winning musical by Stephen Schwartz follows the surprising friendship between Glinda the Good Witch and Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West). Wicked’s Los Angeles run is frequently sold out, but you can get tickets by calling TicketMaster at 213-365-3500. You can also stop by the Pantages Theatre Box Office at Hollywood and Vine (open daily at 10 am).  The show runs Tuesday through Fridays at 2 pm and 8 pm; Sunday at 1 pm and 6:30 pm.

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Guide to Outdoor Culture in Los Angeles

March 12th, 2008 by jamie a

Hollywood BowlHollywood Bowl Photo uploaded by Night Star Romanus

Have fun in the sun during your visit to Los Angeles! Especially if you’re traveling from a woefully wintry place, there’s plenty of outdoor entertainment in L.A. to choose from.

If you’re a music nut, check out the famed Hollywood Bowl for new and old favorites alike. There’s classical tunes every Tuesday and Thursday along with weekend firework shows! The Greek Theatre offers the best in indie and alternative acts, while the Santa Monica Pier offers a free Tuesday night Twilight Dance Series.

Artsy types can head to the Getty Center for international tunes, the Hammer Museum for avant-garde jazz acts, the Autry National Center for Gene Autry outdoor Western films and Latin fare, or downtown for MOCA’s After Dark party on Saturday Nights.

There’s also tons of open-air films to keep in mind for travel during the summer months. Be sure and check out the Independent Shakespeare Company, Cinespia, Shakespeare by the Sea, or Shakespeare in the Cemetery.

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Free Museum Days Guide

March 6th, 2008 by jamie a

Getty MuseumGetty Museum Photo uploaded by synaethesia

With the multitude of museums in Los Angeles, it’s definitely a great achievement to visit them all. From the Museum of Contemporary Art to the Guinness World Records Museum, there’s something for every area of interest.

To make your travels a little easier on your wallet, here’s a guide to free museum days at all the museums in the Los Angeles area. Organized by Natural Wonders, Culture Clubs, Art Now, and The Classics, it’s easy to find what you’re looking for.

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Literary History of Los Angeles

January 28th, 2008 by jamie a

typewriterA Typewriter on an Adventure Photo uploaded by avlxyz

With a city so rich in cinematic history, the great writers of LA tend to be overlooked. Beyond the glitz and glam, lie writers like Charles Bukowski, Joan Didion, and Raymond Chandler who bring the city to life through their words.

DiscoverLosAngeles.com provides a wonderful article on the literary history of the city of angels. As Bukowski said, “Since I was raised in LA, I’ve always had the geographical and spiritual feeling of being here…I’ve had time to learn this city. I can’t see any other place than LA.” If he’s your style, check out Esotouric’s tour of Bukowski’s favorite spots in the city. They also offer two Raymond Chandler tours, which help tourists discover how Los Angeles shaped not only his fiction, but the course of his life.

There’s no better way to discover the intricacies of a city than by reading first-hand accounts of calling it home. After you’ve learned the stories of these great writers of the past, be sure and take in a reading at a local coffee shop to appreciate LA’s thriving 21st century writers. You’ll most likely find a new author to love, as well as understand why LA is a city that still inspires great works of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

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New Nokia Theatre in Downtown LA

January 11th, 2008 by jamie a

L.A. Nokia Theater
Photo courtesy of Nokia Theatre

If you’re looking for a great place to see live concerts, nationally broadcast award shows, or hilarious comedians, the 7,100 seat Nokia Theatre is the latest addition to the L.A. scene.

Opened in October 2007, the first six concerts at the venue were completely sold out, but the theatre plans to host about 120 events per year. That certainly means that you’re sure to find something to fit your tastes and style, plus get your hands on some tickets!

After hosting the American Music Awards, their first venture in hosting award shows, the venue was a complete hit. They’ve got an awesome upcoming lineup including Willie Nelson, Aretha Franklin, Larry the Cable Guy, and the Moody Blues, so be sure and get your tickets early and enjoy the show.

Planning a trip to Los Angeles? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Los Angeles Card.

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LA’s Cultural Side, Part 2

November 12th, 2007 by jamie a

11092007autry.jpg
Statue of Gene Autry outside the Autry Museum
Photo uploaded by dnhoshor

Before soaking up some sun on the beach or star-spotting on the streets of Hollywood, check out all the amazing museums that LA has to offer! Last week we covered some of LA’s best art museums, and now we’re exploring historical and cultural museums.

To learn more about the West…

Be sure to check out the Autry National Center Museum of the American West. Explore ranch life and cowboy culture along with histories of the people who made the West what it is today.

There’s also the California Heritage Museum, built in a home from 1894, now an official city landmark. Complete with art exhibitions, Monterrey furniture displays, and California tile and pottery, this museum is akin to a still life of California history. If you enjoy exploring historical homes, the Heritage Square Museum is also recommended, which explores Los Angeles’s beautiful residences of the past.

For more information on the city of Santa Monica, visit the Santa Monica Historical Society. Known as the “Paradise by the Sea,” this city boasts a rich and varied cultural past which is certainly worth exploring.

For the film junkie…

No stop in LA is complete without a Hollywood experience! To see an amazing collection of movie memorabilia, visit the Hollywood Museum. With over 10,000 cinematic treasures, there’s everything from Rocky’s boxing gloves to Boris Karloff’s mummy.

For an inspiring day…

Visit the “Finding Our Families, Finding Ourselves,” the new multimedia exhibit at the Museum of Tolerance. Through personal stories from Dr. Maya Angelou, Billy Crystal, Carlos Santana, and Joe Torre, explore what it means to be part of the American family though this innovative museum. It will surely leave you inspired to define your own mentors and heroes, as well as explore your family history and heritage.

Planning a trip to Los Angeles? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Los Angeles Card.

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LA’s Cultural Side, Part 1

November 7th, 2007 by susan j

11062007getty.jpg
Courtyard at the J. Paul Getty Museum
Photo uploaded by Allan Ferguson

Los Angeles is perhaps best known as one of the movie meccas of the world. But did you know that LA and the surrounding area also have some excellent art museums, too? Here are some of our picks for art museums to visit on your next Los Angeles vacation.

The J. Paul Getty Museum: This museum has two locations: the Getty Villa in Malibu and the Getty Center in Los Angeles. Both focus on American European art, including paintings, drawings, sculpture, and photographs. Current exhibitions include Medieval Treasures from the Cleveland Museum of Art at the Getty Center and Reflecting Antiquity: Modern Glass Inspired by Ancient Rome at the Getty Villa.

The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA: Housing one of the country’s finest collections of American and European art created since 1940, the Geffen’s displays range from abstract expressionism and pop art to new works by emerging artists. Current exhibitions include a multimedia display of art by Takashi Murakami.

Museum of Contemporary Art Grand Avenue: MOCA’s building itself is a work of art, as evidenced by the American Institute of Architects listing it as one of the “10 Best Works of American Architecture Completed Since 1980.” Inside, you’ll find exhibits like Black Panther: The Revolutionary Art of Emory Douglas and Gordon Matta-Clark: You Are the Measure.

Hammer Museum: This UCLA-affiliated museum encourages cross-cultural understanding and examines the impact of art on society. The collection includes works by classic artists like Monet and van Gogh, as well as more recent contemporary works in painting, sculpture, and media arts.

Check back next week for a round-up of historical museums to continue our exploration of Los Angeles’ culture.

Planning a trip to Los Angeles? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go Los Angeles Card.

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Low Budget LA

October 15th, 2007 by susan j

10102007-ucla-campus.jpg
UCLA’s campus
Photo uploaded by AsianjournalUSA.

If you’re headed to Los Angeles, then one of your best resources for low cost entertainment (aside from buying a Go Los Angeles Card, of course) is to check out the local college event calendars. Chock-full of concerts, lectures, film screenings, and more, these calendars list tons of events that are low cost and open to the public. Here’s a list of some of the college calendars in the LA area:

  1. UC-Los Angeles (pictured above)
  2. University of Southern California
  3. California Institute of Technology (aka CalTech)
  4. Occidental College

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